South Fulton Mayor Khalid Kamau's trespassing case heads to trial while questions about race, power, and accountability remain
The criminal trespassing case against Khalid "Kobi" Kamau will proceed to a jury trial in early 2026, following a contentious court appearance Tuesday that briefly included a request for a bench warrant after the mayor arrived late to court.
A Fulton County spokesperson confirmed that prosecutors and the defense failed to reach an agreement, sending the case to trial. A pretrial hearing is set for Feb. 4, 2026, with jury selection expected to begin Feb. 17.
The charge stems from a 2023 incident in which Kamau is accused of unlawfully entering a privately owned lakehouse property, a case the mayor has previously framed as political retaliation tied to his outspoken views.
But for critics, the trespassing charge is only one piece of a broader controversy surrounding Kamau's leadership.
The mayor, who describes himself as "America's first #BlackLivesMatter organizer elected to public office," has faced public scrutiny and allegations over the use of city funds for travel that opponents say blurred the line between official business and personal expense.
While Kamau has defended his expenses as mission-driven and aligned with his vision for South Fulton, the allegations fueled criticism from residents who argue that he operates with too little transparency and too much ideological latitude.
Those unresolved questions have sharpened perceptions of the trespassing case — not as an isolated incident, but as part of a larger reckoning over accountability.
During Tuesday's hearing, prosecutors requested a bench warrant when Kamau failed to appear on time. The judge initially granted the request but ultimately declined to sign the warrant after a recess. The judge also noted that Kamau's attorney was late to court.
The moment — a sitting mayor nearly facing arrest over tardiness in a misdemeanor case — landed differently depending on perspective.
Supporters argue that kind of response reflects long-standing racialized enforcement patterns, noting that offenses like trespassing and procedural violations have historically been used to discipline Black people who challenge power, especially when they occupy positions traditionally afforded autonomy or grace.
Critics counter that Kamau's identity and political philosophy do not exempt him from basic legal obligations and that repeated controversies, including allegations surrounding city finances, have eroded public trust.
Kamau, who describes himself as a "liberation-focused" leader and a "Christian Socialist," has built a national profile by openly challenging traditional governance norms.
One might think that posture made him a lightning rod in South Fulton — a city whose population is 92% Black. However, South Fulton voters ousted him.
An independent audit earlier this year found that Kamau had spent nearly $70,000 on purchases flagged as questionable, including unapproved travel, streaming subscriptions, meals, and other expenses with a city-issued card, expenditures that city officials and residents said lacked clear oversight and blurred the line between official business and personal expense.
That audit became a flashpoint in South Fulton, intensifying criticism from council members and residents who argued that his approach too often clashed with basic standards of fiscal oversight.
Some of those expenditures included a lengthy international trip that was defended by Kamau as economically beneficial but viewed by South Fulton community members as unauthorized and opaque.
Amid that controversy, Kamau's reelection bid faltered. Voters removed him from office in the November 2025 election, signaling a political rejection that ran parallel to ongoing legal and ethical questions.
Now, with the trespassing charge moving toward trial, the story sits at a fraught intersection:
- Race and power: A Black mayor whose political identity was shaped by social justice activism is now confronting both legal enforcement and political accountability in ways that resonate with broader national debates over how Black leaders are judged.
- Accountability and trust: What began as an audit of spending practices became a catalyst for widespread concern about governance, transparency, and stewardship of taxpayer resources.
- Politics and consequence: Kamau's electoral defeat illustrates how justice — in the courtroom and at the ballot box — can converge when questions of race, leadership style, and public trust collide.
In the end, voters have already rendered a political verdict; now a jury will be asked to decide the legal one.
Editor's Note:
CBS News Atlanta reached out to Kamau Khalid - who has openly described the charges against him "politically motivated" - and his attorney.
We will provide updates as more information becomes available.